Is Amazon Building A CIA Cloud?

Even the CIA needs cloud computing and allegedly the intelligence agency has contracted Amazon Web Services to build their next private cloud.

Unconfirmed reports from Federal Computer Week reveal an agreement between the Central Intelligence Agency and Amazon to build a private cloud infrastructure that is both cost effective and secure. FCW’s report states that “the CIA has agreed to a cloud computing contract with electronic commerce giant Amazon, worth up to $600 million over 10 years.” Neither Amazon nor CIA have confirmed the deal, but FCW has uncovered information that could potentially substantiate some of the rumors.

According to FCW, CIA’s Chief Information Officer Jeanne Tisinger hinted at working “with companies like Amazon” in order to leverage their innovation and cost savings. CIA’s Chief Technology Officer Gus Hunt also mentioned Amazon during a speaking engagement last month, stating “think Amazon – that model really works.” It’s hard to say whether Tisinger and Hunt’s comments were in regards to a working relationship between Amazon and the agency and whether the contract actually exists. Amazon also declined to comment on the matter.

However, collaboration between the CIA and Amazon Web Services would make sense as it could help the agency keep up with emerging technologies that AWS is at the forefront at reduced costs. Amazon Web Services, which first launched in 2006, offers a number of products that provide computing, networking, storage, management, and other remote services that make up the cloud infrastructure. AWS revenue was estimated at $1.5 billion in 2012; the company has also extended its market reach by lowering support costs and introducing a free plan last year. It seems the potential contract with the CIA will only help AWS grow and continue to make its platform as a service more affordable, which is good news for cloud computing.

Kasia LorencKasia Lorenc is a contributor to Tom's IT Pro. Combining her love of IT and marketing, she currently serves as the Director of Technology and Search Marketing for Zacuto USA in Chicago.